ullmann



APPUCATIGN FILED AUGZ 1919.

Patented Aug. 17, 192i}.

3 SHEETSSHEET I.

INVENTOR 1 ATTORNEY.

E. S. ULLMANN APPARATUS FOR MOORING mmmBLEs AND THE LIKE.

APPHCATON FILED AUG.2, i919.

Patented Aug. 17, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

E. S. ULLMANN.

APPARATUS FOR MOOBING BlRlGfB-LES mm THE LIKE.

APPLWATION FILED AUG]: HHS.

Patented Aug. 17, 1920.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

injury.

and especially UNITED STATE? EMANUEL S. ULLMANN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

,,.'?PARATUS FOR MOORING DIRIGIBLES AND THE LIKE,

Specification-of Letters rate 1.

Patented Aug. 17, 1920.

Application filed August 2, 1919. Serial No. 314,830.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, EMANUEL U LLMANN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the borough of Manhattan, in the city and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Mooring Dirigibles and the like, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices and means for mooring or anchoring airships of various types, being more particularly intended for securing the type of airships commonly called dirigible balloons or dirigibles".

The object of the invention is to provide means whereby such an airship, having arrived at a stopping place, may be easily moored to the ground in an expeditious and secure manner, moved from place to place, as into or out of a hangar, while still moored, and released in order to renew or resume its journey.

The invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of various devices and parts, as hereinafter defined in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a general view showing a side elevation of a dirigible balloon of an ordinary type, and showing in cross section a portion of the means by which th same is moored to the ground; Fig. 2 is aiplan view of a portion of said mooring devices, hereinafter more fully described; Fig. 3 is a plan view of said mooring devices; and Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views on an enlarged scale, hereinafter more particula 'ly described. i

lit is well known that when an ordinary dirigible balloon arrives at a stopping place, particularly if any appreciable degree of wind prevails at the time, considerable difli: culty is experienced in mooring the airship to the ground in such a manner as to securely hold the same and at the same time without If the airship is a moderately large one, and if the prevailing wind is strong, it the same is variable as to force or direction, the mooring of the dirig ible and the continued holding of the same in a safe position, becomes a very diliicult and even dan crous proceeding, requiring the services 0 a rent number of men and the supervision 0% experienced and skilled directors of the work. It is considered necessarytqjkesp thedarigible polnted up m the wind, and to allow the rear portion. to swing around from side to side as the varying currents of air strike the same, at the same time holding the rear portion down by ropes of considerable length. Unless the lower ends of these securing ropes are swung around corresponding to. the swinging motion of the rear portion of the dirigible, the latter would be dashed to the round and injured, and the only method which has thus far been employed for accomplishing this purpose is to have the lower ends of the various ropes held by a sufficient number of men to hold the dirigible down, who travel around to different parts of the field as the wind swings the dirigible into differ ent positions, in order to maintain the lower or mooring end of the rope approximately underneath the body of the dirigilqle, and this continual supervision must be continued until the dirigible can be drawn into a suitable hangar, if one be present; if no hangar is in existence, the personal manual management of the dirigible must be continued during the whole time of its stay on the field and until it resumes its journey. My invention seeks to provide a safe and secure mechanical method of mooring the dirigible, which will allow it to swing freely in any direction into which the wind may impel the same.

In carrying my invention into effect in the embodiment thereof which I have selected. for the purpose of description in this specification and illustration in the accompanying drawings I provide, in or near the central part of a suitable open space a size proportioned to the length ofthe dirigibles which are ex peeted to be moored, devices to which may be secured the forward portion of the dirigible, and around said central part I provide a series of concentric channels in which are located devices to which the mooring ropes may be secured which drop from the rear ward portions oi the dirigible. In connection with the above specified arts 1 rovide a series of radial channels exten ing from said central part, across said concentric channels and leading respectively into hangars located around the 0 en space mentioned, said radial channe s being also adapted to receive the mooring devices above spo part and said concentric channels, and to permit said m o ing devices t P ce t en of as being located in said oentral' along and thereby transfer the dirigible into one of the hangars. The above mentioned devices are shown in eneral plan in Fig. 3 of the accompanying ra'win the hen ars, however, not being shown, tie radial 0 LI!- nels leading thereto being broken off not far from the outermost concentric channel, the said view showing the dirigible in line with one of the radial channels, with the mooring devices, shown in dotted lines, adjusted so as to permit the same to pass along said radial channel and to convey the dirigible into the hangar which would be located in the direction of the lower ri ht hand corner of the drawing. The details of this construction will now be described.

Referring now to the left hand part of Fig. 1 and also to Fig. 2, which is a plan view of the central station or pit and a pivotal traveling mooring device to which is secured the mooring rope depending from the forward part of the dirigible, it will be seen that a series of supports 11, which may be wedge-shaped posts of concrete or the like securely embedded in the ground, are provided, arranged in a. circular line as shown in Fig. 2. To each of these posts is bolted a plate 12 of triangular shape, the apex of which is located near the center of the pit and the curved base of which extends outward as far as the first concentric channel. The series of plates 12 are so arranged that between them are a series of radial slots 13, correspondin to the radial channels above referred to. coated in said central pit and underneath the inner ends of the plates 12 is a truck or. trolley, preferably of the construction shown, (see igs. 4 and 5) having four wheels 14 mounted in pairs upon axles 15 connected to ather by a reach 16 which'is provided wit an upwardly extending member 17 having a swivel-eye 18 at the upper end to which may be secured mooring ropes. Referring now more particularly to Figs. '4 and 5 it will be .seen that to the under side of the lates 12 are bolted angle irons 19, to which is secured a support or trackway 20 for the truck. The member 17 extends upward through the slot 13.

The concentric channels abme referred to are formed in the following manner: Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1 it will be seen that posts of concrete or the like 11, similar to those described in connection with the central pit, are provided, extending around in concentric circles for each of the channels. The outer curved bases of the triangular plates 12 are supported by and secured to such posts, and outside of said curved bases is left a circular slot 21. Beyond this circular slot and extending outward to the next concentric channel, and between the radial channels 13 ee Fig. 3) is a series of frames or plates 22, the edges of which are supported by posts similar to those already described, and outside of these, a slot 23 intervening, is another series of frames or plates 24 and outside of these again, a slot 25 intervening, is still another series 26, outside of which, a slot 27 intervening, is a last series 28 formmg an outer periphery of the whole series. It will be understood that all of the various plates described are supported upon concrete posts, and that between them are left the circular slots mentioned, as well as the radial slots 13, all of which will be clear by referring to Fig. 3.

()n the under side of the various lates mentioned I provide a construction similar to that illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, and adapted to support a truck or trolley similar to that already described in connection with the central pit. One of these trolleys is shown in Fig. 3. the plates being broken away to clearly exhibit the same, and a series of the same is shown in Fig. 1. Each of these trolleys is adapted to securethe lower end of a mooring rope depending from the dirigible as shown in Fig. 1. If desired, more than one rope may be secured to each trolley.

At each intersection of a circular slot with a radial slot, the trackway for the trolley is of-a construction which will pernnt of the turnings-of the trolley as shown 1n Fig. 3, in order that the trolleys running around in the concentric channels mayat such p ints of'junction be turned so that they nnigttimn in a radial slot when it is desirable to move' the dirigible from the mooringfield into hangars. For this purpose thc'trackways are flared at the intersections or otherwise constructed "so as to permit such turning of the trolleys.

The racial and concentric channels may be constructed in any suitable form of runway which will afford the mooring devices underneath engagements therewith, whereby the mooring devices are held against upward movement while traveling along the runways.

It will be obvious that my invention may be constructed in other forms and embodiments without departing-from the spirit and scope of the same. The particular type of truck or trolley whichhas been described is not essential, any form of movable mooring device might be employed; and also the particular .form of channels or runways for the trolleys which I have described is not essential, as it is obvious that any arrangement of such channels or trackways, which would permit a trolley or other movable mooring means to pass around freely'therein, would be within the spirit of my invention. It is obvious that the invention'is not limited in application to the mooring of airships of the lighter-than-air class, but

t that it might also be employed for securely ters Patent is 5 ot movable mooring 60 mooring to the ground heavier-than-alr machines or aeroplanes, which, when resting in positions where no hangars are available, require almost as much as do dirigibles, to be securely moored and yet at the same time be free to swing around in various directions according to the direction of the wind. The operation of the various devices comrised in my invention will be entirely clear tom the drawings in connection with what hasbeen said while describing the constructi'on, andI do not think it necessary to furher explain the manner in which the invention is to be employed.

The advantages of my invention have also been alluded to and will be clearly obvious from What has been above said with regard to the construction and operation of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letas follows:

1. In an apparatus for mooring dirigibles and the like, the combination with a series of movable mooring devices located below a dirigibleand means adapted to connect such dirigiblc to said mooring devices; of means adapted to secure all of said mooring devices against upward movement, comprising members arranged radially under which all of said mooring devices are adapted to pass radially, and members arranged circularly under which one of such mooring devices is adapted to ass circularly. 2. In an apparatus or mooring dirigibles and the like, the combination with a series of movable mooring devices located-below a dirigible and means adapted to connect such ilirigible to said mooring devices; of means adapted to secure all of said mooring devices against upward movement, comprising members arranged radially under which all of said mooring devices are adapted to pass radially, and members arranged cir cularly under which one of such mooring devices isadapted to pass circularly: where- 'by a dirigible secured near one end to one of said mooring devices centrally located in the apparatus, and secured farther away from said end to another oi saiddevices located away from the center and along the line of said circularly situated members, may be free to swing around circularly or to move radially toward or away from the center of the apparatus.

3. In an apparatus for mooring dirigihles and the like, the combination. with a series devices located below a dirigible and means adapted to connect such dirigible to said mooring devices; of means adapted to secure all of said mooring devices against upward movement, comprising members arranged. radially under which all of said mooring devices are adapted to pass radially, and members auangcd circularly under which one of such mooring devices is adapted to ass circularly, said members consisting of guides or trackways or said mooring devices, secured to the ground: whereby a dirigiblc secured near one end to one of said mooring devices centrally located in the apparatus, and secured farther away from said end to another of said devices located away from the center and alon the line of said circularly situated mcm ers, may be free to swing around circularly or to move radially to\ ard or away fromthe center of the apparatus.

4. In an apparatus for mooring dirigiblcs and the like, the combination with a plurality of traveling mooring devices, one of which is adapted to serve as a pivotal mooring device, and means adapted to connect a dirigihle to said mooring devices respectivcly; of means for securing all of said traveling mooring devices against upward movement, while permitting all of said traveling mooring evices except the pivotal traveling mooring device to travel around circularly, and permitting all of said traveling mooring devices, when desired, to travel radially with respect to the circular paths oi said mooring (ll'lCtS in a predetermined direction; comprising a series of concentric guides or trackways for certain of said traveling mooring devices, a central station for said pivotal traveling mooring device, and a series of radial guides or trackways extending outward from said central station, said central station being adapted to permit said pivotal traveling mooring device to turn to position to travel in any one of said radial guides or trackways.

5. In an apparatus for mooring dirigibles and the like, the combination with a plurality out traveling mooring devices, uric of which is adapted to serve as a pivotal traveling mooring device, and means adapted to connect a dirigible to said mooring devices respectively; of means for securing all of said traveling mooring devices against upward movement, while permitting all of said traveling mooring devices except the mooring device to move pivotal traveling around circularly, and permitting all of said movable mooring devices, when desired, to travel radially with respect to the circular paths of said mooring devices in a predetermined direction; comprising a series of concentric guides or trackways for certain of said traveling mooring devices, a central station for said pivotal traveling mooring device, and a-series of radial guides or trackways extendingoutward from said central station, said central station being adapted to permit said pivotal traveling mooring device to turn to position to travel in any one of said radial guides or trackways, said guides or trackways comprising a foundation secured to the earth and adapted to control said traveling mooring devices.

6. In an apparatus for mooring dirigibles and the like, the combination with a plurality of traveling mooring devices, one of which is adapted to serve as a pivotal traveling mooring device, and means adapted to connect a dirigihle to said mooring devices res ectively; of means for. securin all of sai traveling moorin devices against upward movement, whi c said travelin mooring evices except the pivotal trave in mooring device to travel around circular y, and ermitting all of said traveling mooring evices, when desired, to travel radially with respect to the circular paths of said mooring devices in a predetermined direction; comprising a series of concentric guides or trackways for certain of said traveling mooring devices, a central station for said pivotal traveling mooring device, and a series of radial guides or trac ways extending outward from said central station, said central station being adapted to permit said pivotal travelin mooring device to turn to position to trave in any one of said radial guides or trackways, said guides or trackways comprising a foundation secured to the earth and means projecting laterally therefrom adapted to control said traveling mooring devices.

7. In an apparatus for mooring dirigibles and the like, the combination with a plurality of traveling mooring devices, one of which is adapted to serve as a pivotal traveling mooring device, and means adapted to connect a dirigible to said mooring devices respectively; of means for securin all of said traveling mooring devices against up- 'ard movement, while permitting all of said tg'aveling mooring devices except the pivotal traveling mooring device to travel around dircularly, and permitting all of said travelg mooring devices, when desired, to travel radially with res cut to the circular paths of said mooring r evices in a predetermined direction; comprising a series of concentric guides or trackways for certain of said traveling mooring devices, a central station for said pivotal traveling mooring device, and a series of radial guides or trackways extending outward from said central station, said central station being adapted to permit said pivotal traveling mooring device to turn to position to travel in any one of said radial guides or trackways, said guides or trackways comprising a foundation secured to the earth, devices extendin laterally therefrom adapted to prevent t e upward movement of said traveling mooring devices. and devices extending downward and then laterally underneath said traveling mooring devices adapted to support the same.

8. An airship mooring apparatus comprisermitting all of r ing a oir ar runway, a radial runway intersectin" said circular runway, and traveling mooring devices having underneath engagement with said runways and provided with means for connection with mooring 7o ropes of an airship.

9; An airship mooring apparatus comprising a circular runway, a series of radial runways intersecting said circular runway, and traveling mooring devices having underneath en agements with said runways and provide with means for connection of the mooring ropes of an airship.

10. An airship mooring apparatus comprising a series of concentric runways, a

series of radial runways intersecting said concentric runways, and traveling mooring devices having underneath engagements with said runways and provided with means for connection of mooring'ropes of an air-'85 ship.

11. An airship mooring apparatus comprising a series of concentric runways, a series of radial runways intersecting said circular runways, a mooring device initially located at the central intersection of said runways, adapted to travel along said radial runways with underneath enga ements therewith and provided with means or connection with a primary mooring rope at the forward portion of an airship, and a series of mooring devices adapted for connection with successive monringpropes of the airship and movable in said concentric runways in underneath engagement therewith to conform to the lateral swing of the ship durin the mooring operation and movable in either of said radial runways in underneath enga ement therewith for disposing said ship in a hangar.

12. In an apparatus for mooring dirigibias and the like the combination with a plurality of movable mooring devices located below a dirigihle and means adapted to connect such dirigible to said moorin devices; of means adapted to secure sai mooring devices against upward movement, comprising a member arranged circularly under which one of such mooring devices is adapted to pass circularly.

13. In an apparatus for mooring dir' ibles and the like the combination with a p urality of mooring devices located below a dirigible and means adapted to connect such dirigible to said mooring devices; of means 120 adapted to secure said mooring devices against upward movement com rising a member arranged circularly un er which one of such mooring devices is adapted to pass circularly: whereby a dirigible secured 125 near one end to one of said mooring devices centrally located in the apparatus and secured farther away from said end to another of said devices located away from the ce ter and al ng the line of said circularly 18( situated member, may be free to swing around circularly.

14. In an ap aratus for mooring dirigi? ing a central station for one of said mooring 10 devices and a guide or trackway arranged circularly under which another of such mooring devices is adapted to pass circuhuly.

Signed at New York city, N. Y., this 31st 15 day of July, 1919.

EMANUEL S. ULLMANN. 

